Chapter 41: (Aaira's pov)

I tried to steady my breath as I stood on the stairs, wincing from the pain in my feet. The noise outside grew louder, the clattering of hooves and the rumble of wheels drawing closer. Each step I took down the stairs was a careful negotiation with my aching feet, but I forced myself to move as quickly as I could.

Reaching the ground floor, I could see the two men at a distance, the main door fully ajar. The carriage driver was gesticulating wildly, his face pale with concern. Beside him stood Seokjin. I paused for a moment, trying to piece together the fragments of the scene before me.

From my vantage point, I could see that Seokjin was engaged in a hurried conversation with the driver. I squinted, trying to catch any snippets of their dialogue. I wrapped the shwal which was hanging near the door stand. I noticed Seokjin's gaze shift towards me. He caught my eye and gave a subtle nod.

Seokjin: Aaira, you're up ?

I nodded. Desperately, I motioned with my eyes, asking Seokjin where Jungkook was. He pointed towards the carriage with a grave expression. My heart raced uncontrollably as I processed his gesture. Jungkook was in the carriage. I couldn't ignore the urgent need to see him, to make sure he was alright.

Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I limped toward the carriage. The driver, still in a state of agitation, moved aside as I approached. The door of the carriage was slightly ajar, revealing a glimpse of Jungkook inside. The sight made my breath catch in my throat.

Jungkook lay slumped in the carriage, his face contorted with pain. His clothes were disheveled, and there was a noticeable bloodstain on his shirt. My heart ached at the sight of him so vulnerable. I felt a pang of guilt, mingled with concern and a touch of fear.

Seokjin was already at the carriage door, assisting Jungkook out with a careful, almost reverent touch. Jungkook's eyes met mine as he was helped down, and the look he gave me was one of intense disgust. He shoved me away with a force that left me reeling.

Jungkook: Get out of my way!

Jungkook spat. He moved past me with a pronounced limp, Seokjin's steadying hand guiding him toward the house. I watched, as Seokjin helped Jungkook inside. He was disgusted no doubt, yet I could not deny the overwhelming urge to help him, to ensure he was properly cared for. The door swung shut behind them with a heavy thud, leaving me standing alone outside.

The pain in my feet was forgotten in the face of the ache in my heart. I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to cry out in sorrow. As I made my way back inside, my thoughts swirled with worry and regret. I could only hope that whatever had happened to Jungkook was not too severe, and that there was still a chance to mend things between us.

Inside the house, I moved as swiftly as I could towards the room where Jungkook had been taken. The atmosphere was tense, and the silence was only broken by the faint rustle of footsteps and muffled voices. I reached the door of the room where Jungkook was resting, my hand hovering hesitantly over the handle.

Before I could gather the courage to open it, Seokjin emerged from the room. He caught sight of me and paused, his eyes filled with a kind of understanding that I wasn't sure how to interpret. He Stepped out of the room, his tired eyes met mine with a silent plea for patience. I tried to approach him, but Jungkook's voice halted me.

Jungkook: Stay back!

Jungkook's voice was weak but sharp, a clear command. I halted mid-step, my heart sinking at the tone of his voice. Seokjin glanced between us, his was concerned and frustrated .

Seokjin: What happened?

He asked, his gaze fixed on me. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. I could only shake my head, unable to articulate the chaos of my emotions and the mess of the situation. Seokjin's eyes softened as he understood.

Seokjin: The weather outside is worsening. We need to tend to Jungkook's wounds here.

He said, his voice brokering no argument. Jungkook, leaning heavily against Seokjin, caught my eye and his face twisted into a scowl.

Jungkook: I'd rather die than be treated by her.

Seokjin: Shut the fuck up.

He said, his voice was low and strained, but filled with venomous intensity. I was busy thinking about Jungkook's words. The words stung, but I pushed through the hurt, knowing that there was no turning back now. I had to help him, regardless of his disdain for me. Seokjin looked at me, his eyes were seeking confirmation.

Seokjin: Can you handle this?

He asked quietly, I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

Aaira: Yes.

I managed to say, my voice barely more than a whisper. There was no room for hesitation or doubt; Jungkook needed medical attention, and I was the only one available to give it right now.

Seokjin's expression held relief and resignation as he moved to assist Jungkook further into the room. He laid him into the guest room. I followed, my heart was pounding badly in my chest.

Inside the room, the dim light cast long shadows across the walls. The small space was filled with the scent of antiseptic, mingling with the mustiness of the old house. Jungkook sat on the edge of the bed, wincing in pain as Seokjin carefully helped him remove his blood-stained shirt.

Seokjin: Aaira go get some warm water, we'll need to clean him up.

I nodded my head, as I entered the kitchen, despite the exhaustion at my every step. The kitchen was silent, only disturbed by the random thunderstorm outside, I set about preparing the boiling water, the rhythmic clatter of pots and pans were disturbing the atmosphere as well.

I filled a large kettle with water from the cold stone sink, then placed it over the fire. The flames crackled and danced beneath the kettle, sending up occasional puffs of steam as the water gradually heated.

The process was painstakingly slow, but I kept my focus steady, knowing that every moment spent here was crucial for Jungkook's recovery, I need to be there. The kitchen was filled with the comforting scent of heated water and the faint aroma of herbs and spices from the pantry shelves.

As the water reached a vigorous boil, I carefully poured it into a large wooden tub, the steam rising in wispy tendrils and filling the room with a faint, soothing warmth. I adjusted the temperature, letting the water cool to a medium heat-warm enough to cleanse without causing further pain.

With the tub prepared, I lifted it carefully, it was not too heavy, it had a medium weight. Reaching the guest room, I gently set the tub down beside Jungkook's bed and looked at him with a deep apology and asked him for the permission, eye through eye.

He shook his head as no, but I had no other option. Seokjin had left for a brief time, leaving me alone with the daunting task of tending to clean Jungkook. The sight of him, battered and bruised, still evoked a pang of distress, but I forced myself to focus on the immediate need for cleanliness and care.

I dipped a clean cloth into the warm water, wrung it out carefully, and began to wash away the blood and grime from his body. Each stroke of the cloth was met with Jungkook's palpable discomfort and disgust; his expression remained of revulsion as he flinched away from my touch.

── ᯓᡣ𐭩 ──"Loving you hurts me deeply, but not loving you kills me in ways that can't be expressed."── ᯓᡣ𐭩 ──

Yet, despite the harshness of his gaze and the harsh words he had spoken, I continued to clean his injuries with as much tenderness and precision as I could muster. I moved towards the side table for a medical kit, as I approached him again, my hands trembling slightly as I gathered the medical supplies. I could feel Jungkook's anger just with that one look from him, he glared at me to stop at my way.

Jungkook: This is ridiculous.

Jungkook muttered, In the mean time seokjin reentered the room, as he looked at both of us.

Jungkook: I don't need her, hyung.

Ignoring his harsh words, I set to work, my hands were methodical, yet they were trembling in fear. I cleaned the wounds with gentle care, trying to ignore the way Jungkook flinched at my touches, he kept pushing my hand away.

Jungkook: Stop it.

He snapped, pushing me away. His strength was waning, but the intensity of his anger was undiminished.

Jungkook: I don't want you here.

Aaira: My Lord, it's important.

Jungkook: Stop with your My lord thing.

Seokjin, hovering nearby, looked on with frustration, I saw him clenching his hand in a. fist.

Seokjin: Jungkook, you need to let her help you. The wounds are serious.

Jungkook's eyes met Seokjin's, and for a brief moment, the fury in them seemed to soften, yet both of them were angry.

Jungkook: I'd rather endure the pain, I just hate her filthy hands.

Seokjin: She's not filthy, you are! And she's going to treat you, so better keep that fucking mouth shut.

He shouted, I took a deep breath, as I continued working, applying ointment to the wounds and carefully bandaging them. Every touch of the bandage was met with a sharp intake of breath from Jungkook, his body tensing with each movement. Tears started to leave my eyes, flowing down on my cheeks.

Aaira: I know you don't want me here, I'll leave, once it's done.

Without a warning, he grabbed both my hands, as he started at them for two minutes.

Aaira: What are you doing ?

Jungkook: These were the hands he used to hold, right ?

Seokjin was shocked at his words, he mustnbe wondering who jungkook was referring to.

Jungkook: Answer me, Aaira ?

Aaira: Jungkook please let me go, Let me do these wounds, I wouldn't show you my face again.

As Jungkook's grip on my hands tightened, I tried hard to free myself, wriggling my hands, but his hold was firm. His eyes bore into mine. Seokjin, sensing the rising tension between us, decided to leave this matter for the both of us, he smiled before excusing himself from the room, leaving us alone.

Jungkook: Answer me, dammit!

I couldn't meet his gaze. The weight of his words and the pain I was enduring made it hard for me to respond. I looked down, my heart aching at his raw, exposed emotion. After a moment, he released my hands. With a sigh, I made my way back to the kitchen, the storm outside continuing its relentless assault against the windows.

The flickering candlelight barely lightened the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The kitchen, with its cold stone hearth and the aroma of damp wood, was a world apart from the tension I had just left behind. I set my jaw and focused on the task ahead, I had to prepare poultices to soothe Jungkook's wounds.

I gathered a mortar and pestle from the wooden cupboard, placing it on the sturdy oak table. I then gathered various herbs from the shelves, selecting dried comfrey leaves, chamomile flowers, and calendula petals-each known for their healing properties.

Comfrey was renowned for its ability to speed up the healing of bruises and wounds, while chamomile and calendula were soothing and anti-inflammatory. I crumbled the dried herbs with my fingers, releasing their delicate fragrances into the air. Carefully, I placed them into the mortar.

I began grinding the herbs, applying firm pressure to release their essential oils and blend them into a coarse paste. The rhythmic sound of the pestle against the mortar was both soothing and meditative.

I added a small amount of olive oil to the mixture, which would help bind the herbs together and create a more pliable paste that could easily be applied to the wounds. The oil mixed with the crushed herbs, transforming them into a rich, aromatic poultice.

Once the paste reached the desired consistency, I scooped it into a clean cloth, folding the edges to secure the mixture. The poultices were now ready to be applied to Jungkook's injuries. I carried them back to the guest room, As I entered the room.

I took a deep. Kneeling beside him, I began to work on his back wounds. The dim light from the fireplace cast our shadow on the wall, flickering shadows across the room, highlighting the severity of his injuries.

Gently, I dipped a fresh cloth into the warm water, wrung it out, and began to carefully clean the blood and dirt from his back. Each movement was deliberate, cautious not to cause him more pain. His body tensed under my touch, but he remained silent, his breath coming in sharp, uneven bursts.

The wounds on his back were deep and jagged, and I could see the redness of inflammation around them. I applied home Poultices, wincing slightly as Jungkook flinched at the stinging sensation. I bandage his back slowly.

After tending to his back, I moved to his legs. Jungkook's clothes were still damp with blood and sweat, and the sight of the injuries there was no less alarming. I placed a clean cloth on the floor and carefully lifted each leg, starting with the worst wound. I cleaned the area with the same careful precision, trying to ignore the way Jungkook's discomfort was more than obvious.

Applying Poultices was a meticulous process. Each touch was met with a wince or a sharp intake of breath from Jungkook. I wrapped bandages around his wounds with a tender touch, trying to be as gentle as possible despite the urgency.

My hands were trembling, not just from the physical act of tending to his injuries, but from the emotional strain of his rejection and the frustration of feeling powerless in the face of his pain. I couldn't help but sit there trying as best as i could to do his injuries.

Finally, I finished bandaging his legs and stood up, my knees were aching from kneeling for so long. The room remained silent, the only sound the soft patter of rain against the window. I took a step back, giving him space.

Jungkook lay back against the bed, his eyes closed as if he were trying to shut out the world, or shut me out of his side. My own eyes were stinging with tears, but I fought them back, not wanting to further disturb him.

Aaira: It's done. I'll leave now.

I said softly, though my voice cracked slightly. I gathered the used cloths and the medical supplies, carefully setting them aside. I moved towards the door, feeling his gaze on my back.

As I opened the door, I paused for a moment, glancing back at him. The room was still, and I hoped that despite everything, the care I had provided would help him begin to heal-both physically and emotionally. As I sighed before making my way towards my own room.

***

The first light of dawn began to filter through the window, I found myself unable to rest, the night had been long. I needed to find something to occupy my restless mind and offer Jungkook some comfort. So, I decided to prepare a herbal drink for him.

The house was still quiet, people were sleeping. I moved slowly through the quiet house. The kitchen, bathed in the soft glow of morning light, I took a deep breath, As I moved towards the pantry.

From the pantry, I selected a variety of herbs: nettle leaves for their rich iron content, which would help combat blood loss; dandelion root to support liver function and improve digestion; and ginger for its warming effects and ability to stimulate circulation. I measured out a handful of each herb, placing them into a large pot.

I filled the pot with water and set it over the fire. As the water began to heat, I added the herbs, allowing them to steep and release their beneficial properties. After the mixture had simmered for about twenty minutes, I removed it from the heat and strained the liquid into a clean pitcher.

To add a touch of sweetness and additional healing properties, I stirred in a spoonful of honey and a splash of lemon juice. The honey would not only enhance the flavor but also provide its own set of health benefits. The lemon juice added would be helpful for tang and vitamin C, which would aid in overall health and recovery.

When the drink was fully prepared, I poured it into a clean mug and carried it back to the guest room. As I opened the door, I saw Jungkook was lying on the bed, his face contorted in discomfort from the sunlight streaming through the window. He was shifting restlessly, trying to shield his eyes from the glare.

Carefully, I set the mug of prepared drink aside on the bedside table and moved to the window. My hands were slightly trembling as I approached the curtains, trying to block out the harsh light. I drew the curtains shut, and the room was immediately bathed in a softer, more subdued light.

Turning back towards Jungkook, I took a deep breath and settled by the bed, taking his hand gently in mine. My heart pounded with anxiety as I looked at him, trying to gauge his reaction. I gave him a small genuine smile, his eyes fluttered open, and he met my gaze.

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"Even though your actions caused me suffering and you were blind to my struggles, my heart still cared for you more than it should."

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